Prevention

Good daily control of your diabetes can help you prevent diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.

Know the symptoms of high blood sugar. Be alert for the warning symptoms of high blood sugar, as well as the situations that put you at risk of developing hyperosmolar syndrome, such as illness or infections.

Monitor your blood sugar level. Monitoring will help you stay in your target range and alert you to dangerous highs. Ask your doctor how often you should test your blood sugar. Monitor more often when you're sick.

When you're sick, drink plenty of liquids. Drink a glass of nonalcoholic, caffeine-free beverage hourly until you can ask your doctor for advice.

Joint British Diabetes Societies Inpatient Care Group. The management of the hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) in adults with diabetes. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/What-we-say/Improving-diabetes-healthcare/Management-of-the-hyperosmolar-hyperglycaemic-state-HHS-in-adults-with-diabetes/. Accessed March 25, 2015.

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